Vera Baird: My right hon.and noble Friend the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor has made the following written ministerial statement.
	"I will tomorrow publish a consultation paper: 'The Law on Damages'. The paper considers issues arising from a number of Law Commission reports. These include recommendations for changes to the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 concerning claims for damages where a person's death has been caused by the negligence of another person.
	The paper also seeks views on the principles surrounding the ability of people to claim damages for the cost of private medical treatment under section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948, and on the interface between the public and private provision of care and accommodation services.
	In addition, the paper considers the law on claims for psychiatric illness; aggravated and restitutionary damages; and the treatment in damages awards of collateral benefits, gratuitous care and services, and accommodation expenses.
	Copies of the consultation paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can also be obtained free on the Department's website at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/confr.htm#full. The closing date for consultation is 27 July 2007."